In response to the Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee Department of Transportation relief effort transferring the responsibility of the debris clean-up to the local governments, the City of Lafayette will be opening bids for a private contractor to continue to pick up and dispose of FEMA eligible waste within the city limits.

It is recognized that the debris continues to be moved to the rights-of-way along State and City streets daily. Any significant delay in resuming the debris pick-up and disposal would present a health and safety hazard to all residents as well as the general public as traffic continues to drive along these streets.

The contract period will be limited to 45 days, allowing residents time to complete the removal of wind blown debris from their property. The contractor will be scheduled to make three passes along the streets during the 45 day period. It will be very helpful for residents to separate the waste as it is stacked along the rights-of-way. Efforts will be made to recycle metal products and to burn all yard waste, such as tree limbs and stumps, before disposal at a landfill.

This is not a completely free service. The State and Local governments will share the cost with FEMA assistance. The cooperation of the residents to recycle and segregate the waste will help save every taxpayer.